This startlingly orange gun isn't something from a sci-fi film set. Instead, it's a new firearm, from UK-based Selectamark, that fires non-lethal pellets—and marks its targets with DNA for later identification.

Designed for use by police and military, the gun fires soft little green pellets, pictured below. Weighing just one gram, when they hit a target they leave an enduring biological mark. Andrew Knights, from Selectamark, explains:

"On contact with the target the uniquely-coded SelectaDNA solution leaves a synthetic DNA trace mark that will enable the relevant authorities to confirm or eliminate that person from their involvement in a particular situation and could ultimately lead to arrest and prosecution."

Accurate over distances up to 40 meters, the gun allows police to tag villains with DNA which should in theory "remain on an offender for weeks." As non-lethal but incriminating techniques go, this sure seems one of the most futuristic. [PR Newswire via Ubergizmo via Verge]